Writing Effective Resolutions
Communities of all sizes realize disruptive transportation technology is not
coming—it is here. Ridehailing and ridesharing companies like Uber, Lyft and
Chariot are already developing new kinds of “micro-transit,” while autonomous
technology is on the streets of Las Vegas, Boston and Pittsburgh. Other smaller
cities like Greenville, SC are laying the groundwork for partnerships and pilots.
Most cities and towns won’t see fully autonomous cars and shuttles for several
years, however, there are critical steps communities need to take NOW. Like any
disruptive innovation, transportation technology will yield both benefits (expanded
access, lower costs, greater safety) and negative impacts (job loss, revenue loss for
local governments).
Communities can prepare now to harness the benefits of technology while
limiting risks. When transportation technology companies do make contact
with contracts in hand, your community wants to have its goals, priorities, and
expectations in place. Most communities use formal resolutions to communicate
goals, add certainty to policy development, and initiate action within and among
city departments.
The purpose of this White Paper is to help cities prepare in advance for
autonomous technology by passing formal resolutions and setting in motion Smart
Mobility Plans. The document covers:
• Terminology
• Benefits and risks associated with autonomous technology
• Common autonomous vehicle deployment phases
• How changing transportation technology affects governance
• Approaches for harnessing benefits while limiting risks
• Examples
• Developing resolutions – local context
• Conclusion and sample resolution language
The sample language and bullet points can also be used for presentations, policy
papers, Comprehensive or Transportation Plan updates and memos. Much of the
information is also helpful when drafting policy on other types of technology,
including ridehailing/sharing services and smart city technology (e.g., Internet of
Things (IoT) and sensors).

Terms
Mobility is the overall system of moving goods
and people within transportation networks. With
technology, mobility refers not only to modes,
but also to navigation, vehicle technology,
communications and transportation demand
management.
Disruptive Transportation Technology: New
options for mobility that (1) are simpler, cheaper,
more reliable, and/or more convenient than current
systems; (2) are rapidly adopted by travellers; (3)
impact broad markets (as opposed to niche markets);
(4) exert significant economic impact; and (5) render
supporting policy and legal frameworks obsolete.
Active modes: Active modes refer to walking, biking
and other human-propelled devices. Increasingly,
semi-motorized options, such as e-bicycles and
rideables like skateboards, are used for first and last
mile access to transit stations.
New Mobility: New Mobility is the application of
technology for communications, new vehicle design,
connecting people to transportation options, and
driverless vehicles.
Mobility on Demand: Mobility on Demand are
technology-enabled services that enable a rider to
hail or schedule a ride.
Shared-Use Mobility: According to the Shared-Use
Mobility Center, shared-use mobility describes
transportation services that are shared among users,
including public transit; taxis and limos; bike sharing;
car sharing (round-trip, one-way, and personal vehicle
sharing); ride sharing (car-pooling, van-pooling);
ride-sourcing/ride-splitting; scooter sharing; shuttle
services; neighborhood jitneys; and commercial
delivery vehicles providing flexible goods movement.

Transportation Network Companies: A
transportation network company (TNC) connects
paying passengers with drivers who provide the
transportation in their own non-commercial vehicles.
There are many terms used to describe services either
scheduled or on-demand from a phone or smart
phone app. Ridehailing describes summoning a ride.
Ridesharing or ride-splitting describes a ride where
several separate riders share a trip. Pick up and drop
off are optimized to shorten overall trip times.
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs): An autonomous vehicle
(also known as a driverless or self-driving) is a vehicle
that is programmed to navigate roadways without
human operators. Vehicles include small pods, cars,
trucks and transit vehicles. SAVs refer to shared
autonomous vehicles that serve multiple riders.
Levels of autonomy: Many cars on the road already
have some level of driverless technology. The industry
describes five levels of autonomy: Level 1 (cruise
control) to Level 5 (fully autonomous). The â&#x20AC;&#x153;hands-off
â&#x20AC;&#x153;features seen in many new models, such as selfparking, are considered Level 2. Level 3 allows the
driver to hand off operations, but must be alert to
take over. Level 4 is self-driving under a wide range
of circumstances, but monitors driver behavior
and takes action to park if needed. Level 5 is fully
autonomous with no steering wheel or on-board
operator needed.
V2X: The technology supporting autonomous
vehicles is varied and describes how the vehicles
communicate with other vehicles and surroundings.
V2X is the catch-all term to describe V2V (vehicleto-vehicle), V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2P
(Vehicle-to-Pedestrian) and V2B (Vehicle-to-Bicycle).
Experts predict a mix of channels. For cities, V2V is
the most simple since the technology and operations
onus is on vehicle and transportation operators. V2I
requires more from local governments in the shape of
infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and operations.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Getting Ahead of Change
Over the past 20 years, computer technology, the
internet and mobile telephones have transformed
almost every aspect of daily life, work and
communications. Technology for transportation, has
likewise changed how we plan, navigate and pay for
travel (including vehicle ownership choices). Experts
forecast even greater change with increased vehicle
and ride sharing, seamless payment systems and
autonomous vehicles.

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The forecasts envision both positive and negative
implications for local governments. The following
table lists common predictions of both a Utopian
future with benefits, and a Dystopian future with risk
and negative impacts.

Increased car use as travelers eschew active
modes and transit for the ease of AVs.

Transit

AVs feed more riders to transit.

Transit suffers as riders switch to shared-use
ridesharing and AVs.

Streets

Excess street space can be converted to
parks and open space.

Cities will need to invest heavily in street repair
and maintenance to avoid false signals for AVs
using roadways.

Parking

Shared AVs need fewer spaces and parking
can be located in otherwise inconvenient
locations.

AVs will clog streets as they circulate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; using
streets like parking. Higher VMT from cars
circulating or relocating to distant parking.

Freight &
Deliveries

Faster deliveries for on-demand retail and
lower delivery costs.

Job losses. Sidewalk congestion with driverless
delivery pods

Revenue

Cities can rethink revenue sources as
gasoline tax remittances shrink. The new
frameworks can include incentives for
active and low impact modes.

Job losses. Loss of office and hotel taxes as
drivers use vehicles for overnight trips and
work. Loss of auto permits, tickets and parking.

Safety

Fewer collisions between cars and
pedestrians and bicyclists.

AVs can be hacked. Ethical considerations for
unavoidable crashes.

Equity

Travel options for mobility-impaired
populations such as teenagers, the elderly.
Greater options outside city centers.

Cars can be programmed to avoid certain
situations and geographic locations.

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Deployment Phases
Prior to full deployment, there are several different
paths of how driverless cars and shuttles will make
their way to local streets. To date, most autonomous
car trials have been in testing on closed courses with
limited public involvement. Increasingly, the race to
market among auto and software companies has
led to demonstrations where the public can see and
even take a ride in a fully autonomous vehicle. Pilot
programs follow where shuttles and cars operate with
limited operations that mimic full deployment.
Initial tests and demonstrations tend to occur on
private or closed campuses where a land owner
controls the streets. Testing usually involves vehicle
companies and their software partners, as well as
research partners. Many observers believe driverless
technology will advance first on highways with trucks,
though drivers will be needed in the near term to
navigate local streets.
There are several critical testing thresholds and
advances: with and without an operator, with
and without passengers, and operation on public
roads. Once on public roads, the technology will
advance from simple, linear, fixed routes to complex,
on-demand service.

In January 2017, Las Vegas, Nevada tested small driverless shuttles
on public streets Image: City of Las Vegas

For localities, one critical question is governance
during the phase where driverless cars share the
road with driver-operated vehicles. This can include
insurance requirements, determining fault, law
enforcement and priority lane assignments.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Governing Changes
on the Horizon
While the exact steps to autonomous travel are not
fully clear, it is helpful to forecast how changes in
transportation could impact governance. We can
already document trends and use this information to
set policy.
• Service privatization: Private companies will
increasingly supply transportation and transit as
a service. Transportation Network Companies
(TNCs) are still defining their revenue models,
and unlike public transit purveyors, can cease
operations of unprofitable routes.
• Revenue changes: Traditional revenues from
automobile ownership (federal gasoline taxes,
permits, local taxes, fees, parking) will continue to
decline as mobility services replace individual car
ownership.
• Sensors & data: Cities and town will see a surge in
urban instrumentation (sensors, imagery, drones)
that poses questions on (1) who owns the data,
(2 ) who monetizes the data, (3) who analyzes
the data, (4) who protects the data, and most
importantly (5) how do we make better decisions
on this data?
• Public acceptance: Autonomous travel will not
scale beyond small campus circulators unless
the public embraces the technology. Hence
deployment will likely occur in carefully designed
phases through pilot programs, testing and
deployment in small steps.
• Forecasting: Governments will need to shift
planning approaches. Currently, cities tend to
extrapolate growth from current baselines and
conventional travel demand forecast models. With
fast-changing technology, cities need to shift to
scenario-based planning to address governance
for a future of unknowns and transitions.

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• Parking: Cities are already reconsidering the
amount of parking needed. Cities with long-term
bonds dependent on parking revenue may need
to monitor and reconsider repayment options.
Cities with parking facility proposals under
development may need to rethink strategies
where parking needs are immediate, but demand
over the next 20 years is uncertain.
• Urban/Community Design: Depending on the
transit/car fleet mix, traffic flows and street
use will dramatically change. Autonomous
delivery pods will put pressure on sidewalk use
and interaction with pedestrians. Concurrent
technology disruption in retail, workspaces and
small scale manufacturing further complicate the
future of building design.
• Active Transportation: Even with safety benefits
and collision avoidance technology, pedestrians
and bicyclists will still experience heightened
sense of apprehension when traveling among
higher speed, heavier vehicles. There is also the
chance pedestrians will be heavily regulated at
crossings to avoid stop and go traffic.
• Transit Oriented Development: Generally
reserved for larger transit systems, TOD in the
form of smaller hubs can host access via sharedused mobility (bikes, cars, rides) and active
transportation. These can be hubs within cities
providing first/last mile access to stations or new
hubs in smaller cities that provide economic and
mobility options.
• Shifting Infrastructure Demand: Cities will need
to monitor and manage expected shifts in parking,
loading and traffic. Managing pick-up and drop-off
along curbs is already an issue with TNCs in some
cities. Likewise, AVs will free capacity on some
streets, while potentially adding VMT to others.

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Harnessing Benefits
while Limiting Risks
Communities need to balance multiple goals—and
risks—while navigating the uncertainties of emerging
technology. Resolutions establish priorities for
the interlinking aspects of community design and
governance.
Resolutions can offer high level aspirations, or include
detailed information on policy and programs. At the
higher level, cities can include concepts such as the
following:
Priority on People + Places: Discussions on driverless
tend to focus on cars. To ensure autonomous
technology does not result in a second generation of
planning solely for automobiles, cities should adopt a
“People + Places First” framework for implementing
transportation technology.
Harmonizing multiple modes and technology: Cities
and towns can establish a planning framework that
coordinates how active transportation, transit, and
emerging technology work together to improve
mobility options and access.
Working with your State: The federal government
has taken a relatively hands off approach to
regulating autonomous technology (at least for
now). States are falling along a spectrum from highly
permissive to stricter management when it comes to
allowing pilot projects.

Policy Development: Technology can render
current language obsolete for policy, funding and
legal constructs that guide transportation systems
development and operations. Resolution language
can identify priorities to guide policy development,
new funding models, and contract negotiations.
Language should also recognize the need to adapt as
technology evolves and changes.
Managing Disruption: Cities must focus on transitions
to mediate technology disruption’s impacts, to
promote the public interest, to support innovation, and
to meet changing demand for travel and real estate.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Examples
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Mayor John Mirisch promotes autonomous vehicles
for economic development, transit and creating a
culture of innovation. On April 5, 2016 the Beverly
Hills City Council adopted a resolution to create
a program to test and deploy a fleet of driverless
municipal vehicles.

On March 2, 2017, Austin, Texas passed a resolution to
launch a New Mobility plan to include shared, electric,
autonomous vehicles and prepare the city to take a
leadership role. The five page resolution is comprised
of four main parts:

Beverly Hills’ program is unique in that the city
is creating its own municipal fleet, which allows
greater oversight and integration among affected
Departments (e.g., parking, maintenance, services).
The city’s two page resolution is structured to list
the city’s goals, to launch a testing program, and to
launch a public forum.
• The opening clause establishes the main service
objectives: (1) address “first and last mile”
connections to future Metro Purple Line stations;
(2) increase mobility within the City; (3) relieve
traffic congestion; (4) improve parking; and (5)
create options for transporting senior citizens.
• The second clause emphasizes the role of
education from the onset of the program.
• The resolution lists three program elements:
(1) Direction to initiate an autonomous vehicle
program, (2) Host a public forum with panels and
vehicle demonstrations, and (3) Certification by
the City Clerk.
Resource: The Beverly Hills California Autonomous
Vehicle page with resolution on Autonomous Vehicle
planning.

• A preamble with 22 statements describing Austin’s
readiness for a new mobility program and plan;
• Direction to the City Manager to develop the New
Mobility EV/AV Plan and prepare the City to take a
state/national/global leadership role;
• Detailed plan components to include (1)
opportunity to evolve with future technological
advancements; (2) creating an executive position
to act as Chief Officer of EV/AV transportation
services; (3) Measure of savings and increased
access to transportation options; (4) list of
next steps and targets; (5) resources needed
and potential funding options; (6) safety
considerations; and (7) measurable interim
greenhouse gas reduction targets to support
the goal of reaching net zero community-wide
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• A deadline for plan submission by June 15, 2017.
Resource: Austin Texas ‘New Mobility/Autonomous
Vehicle Solution’ resolution

STATE LEGISLATION
The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks
enacted state legislation.
Resource: Autonomous Vehicles, Self-Driving
Vehicles page

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Developing Resolutions –
Local Context
Resolutions will vary by community and what stage
you are in the process of testing and adopting
transportation technology. Resolutions can work
for communities of any size or location. This section
recommends “menus,” with sample language in
Appendix A.
For communities just getting started: In general a
Resolution will summarize (1) why it is important to
initiate activity, (2) a set of locally important goals,
(3) initialize activity such as a working group, public
outreach program and/or a program, (4) dates.
Decision maker approval signals policy and resource
dedication (usually staff time) for programs.
For communities hosting tests and pilot programs:
For communities wishing to attract a test or pilot
program, the resolution will (1) summarize the
purpose for attracting a test such as economic
development or mobility gains, (2) make the case for
testing/pilot readiness and resources, (3) select and
convene a workgroup, (4) hire consultant/dedicate
staff to shape a proposal and/or scope of work, and
(5) develop a program to conduct and possibly scale
the test or pilot. Decision maker approval shows
dedication to working with stakeholders that can
include autonomous vehicle makers, Universities and
land owners with test-ready roadways.
Communities preparing for technological disruption:
This type of resolution frames a process for getting
ahead of technology to harness benefits while limiting
disruptive impacts. The resolution will (1) state
the promise and peril of emerging transportation
technology, (2) list local priority areas to exploit
for benefits and manage for risks such as jobs or
congestion management, (3) establish a process to
align plans and policies, (4) signal changes needed
in funding, revenue, budgeting to meet changing
conditions, and (5) set deadlines. Decision maker
approval establishes community priorities and directs
Departments to work together in setting policy and
programs. This type of resolution also can be used to
prepare the public for coming change.

Communities signaling public interest and financial
expectations: The resolution recognizes the
investments required for safe, effective transportation.
Cities should not be required to underwrite the entire
portfolio of investments such as broadband, street
maintenance, and technology. This resolution will (1)
establish the public interest in public infrastructure
and transportation, (2) recognize the growing publicprivate nature of transportation and transit, (3) list
expectations for data, infrastructure finance, and
operations/maintenance, and (4) initiate a Smart
Mobility plan to coordinate activity.

Conclusion
Driverless technology is already serving travelers on
local streets around the world. However, there are still
many unanswered questions related to safety, liability
and the ethics involved for unavoidable crashes.
This places local governments in an uncomfortable
position of setting policy for technology and adopting
technology at the same time.
Local governments are also expected to frame
today’s policy with uncertain trajectories and
disruptive change. While daunting, the best path
in planning for change begins with establishing
community priorities. Resolutions, created with the
larger community, initiate the process. Appendix A
presents sample Resolution statements for a variety
of topics. Cities can adopt or adapt model language.
Finally, new mobility is not about technology. It is
about leveraging technology to move people and
goods in ways that are safer, more efficient and
more enjoyable than systems we now have in place.
To that end, walking and bicycling are still the original
on-demand technology that deliver multiple benefits.

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APPENDIX A

Model Resolutions and
How to Use this White Paper
Resolutions have two main parts: (1) a preamble with clauses building a case for
action leadings with â&#x20AC;&#x153;WHEREASâ&#x20AC;? and (2) operative clauses that direct action.
The language provides background information. Even if you are not interested in
developing a resolution at this time, the sample language tees up conversations
you need to start with the community, colleagues and elected officials who will
eventually vote on a resolution.
The language in this White Paper is suggested. your community will likely see
ways to adapt and customize statements. Not all sections may apply to your
jurisdiction. Within each section, you may only choose to use a subset of sample
clauses that fits your community. Because technology will evolve, we would
appreciate your edits and additions over time to create a living document that
meets community needs.
This White Paper covers many topics of near-term concern and planning. Other
aspects of evolving transportation technology will require examination over time,
such as liability, ethics, and intellectual property rights. Process-wise, states and
local governments will need to track consistency and changes in modeling and
analysis underlying planning and budget forecasts.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Opening Statements

Core Areas

Why? The opening section establishes the context
for taking action on technology and mobility. This can
include opening statements recognizing:

PEOPLE + PLACES FIRST

• Existing mobility partnerships.
• Reference to previously-adopted resolutions,
policies and programs (e.g., Vision Zero, Complete
Streets, Technology plans).
• Research and studies pointing to new mobility.
• New mobility as a strategy to address local
challenges such as congestion relief or first/last
mile solutions.
• Support for sustainability and resilience.
• Ties to economic opportunities, job growth, and
the local technology sector.
• The need to get in front of technology to lower
disruptive impacts, manage change and create
opportunities for everyone in the community.
• Desire to allow city codes and ordinances to
evolve and adapt to changing technologies.

Why? Vehicles don’t make places, people do. While
new technology promises mobility improvements,
conversations can quickly focus only on technology
and individual vehicles. Staking a priority on livable
communities sets the tone for policy, planning and
partnerships with transportation providers.
Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Community livability depends on places designed
for people, interactions and connection to place.
• Mobility encompasses transport of people, goods,
and opportunity.
• Access to reliable, affordable, efficient
transportation is fundamental to success as a
community, its businesses, residents and visitors.
• Active transportation, enhanced transit, and new
technologies expand transportation choice to
everyone in the community.
• Community investments in active transportation,
walkable community design and trails create
powerful economic, health and placemaking
dividends.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

PUBLIC INTEREST

SAFETY

Why? More private companies and public-private
partnerships (P3s) will provide transport services
as technology advances. These services rely on
publicly-owned and maintained streets, highways,
sidewalks and curbsides. Services will also generate
data and information from (and about) the general
public. Likewise, private companies have a right to
keep critical business information private. Staking a
position on the public’s interest promotes the best
use of publicly-financed and owned assets while
recognizing legitimate business interests and the
innovation process.

Why? Technology, particularly autonomous, holds
both safety opportunities and concerns. Communities
can promulgate a guiding framework to improve
safety and enact safeguards. Communities can
customize clauses by referring to local statistics, for
instance automobile crash-related incidents.

• Transportation of all kinds uses public rightsof-way that serve the greater public: residents,
businesses, visitors and government.
• The public infrastructure supporting mobility is
governed and maintained in the public interest.
• Private companies and public-private partnerships
will play a larger role in the transportation system.
• Local governments will need to balance
requirements to promote the public interest in
ways that do not stifle innovation.
• As financial and revenue models shift with
innovation and technology, new funding, revenue,
and payment systems must be sufficient, fair,
transparent, efficient and sustainable.
• When negotiating use of public rights-of-way
with private companies, the public interest takes
priority with respect to safety, data, revenue
(current and future), equitable service, and service
programming.
• Software programs for autonomous vehicle
tradeoff scenarios must take the public interest in
mind, particularly for the most vulnerable travelers
in the public right-of-way.
• As data becomes more important to monitor
service and infrastructure, the public retains a
right to make data publicly available for analysis
and forecasting.
12

• The testing and piloting phases for deploying
autonomous technology must be designed with
strict performance standards to be met before
expanding deployment.
• Street and land use design, coupled with
technology, can minimize conflicts between
vehicles and other travelers on or bicycles.
• Effective planning will consider mixed traffic
where driverless vehicles and cars with drivers will
operate simultaneously.
• Law enforcement procedures related to
operations, searches, and impoundment will
change with autonomous technology for driverless
cars, drones, and delivery pods.

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Mobility Themes
MOBILITY

MOBILITY PRIORITIES

Why? Mobility is a fundamental ingredient to
economic, social, professional and community
success. As options grow, statements on community
priorities set a course for effective policy.

Why? Early discussions on technology center on
individual cars. However, congestion, parking
demand and costs will continue if we only swap
cars with drivers with cars without drivers. While
cars will still play a big role in mobility, communities
can prioritize active modes and transit systems that
deliver multiple benefits.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Transportation connects people and goods
physically, socially, and economically.
• Mobility includes movement of goods people and
opportunity.
• Shared-use mobility through car sharing, bicycle
sharing and ride sharing is already expanding
mobility options with healthy options and lower
impacts to the overall transportation system.
• As the portfolio of modes, services and
infrastructure changes with technology,
community priorities include (1) infrastructure
investments that deliver multiple benefits, (2)
service expansion to areas with transportation
gaps, (3) design that maximizes public space and
can flex over time with technology changes.
• A robust market of public, public-private and
private transportation providers is essential to
deliver reliable, equitable and sustainable service
at optimal, fair costs.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Public transit is the first and largest asset for
shared-use mobility.
• A transit-first policy for shared-use and
autonomous technology makes the most efficient
use of existing public infrastructure.
• Active modes and transit are proven strategies to
limit congestion while enhancing the economic
value of place.
• Active and transit modes lower vehicle miles
traveled and the associated costs of wear-andtear, fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Shared-use and autonomous technology hold
promise for “first/last mile” feeds to higher
capacity transit such as rail and bus rapid transit.
• According to a study by the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
fleets of shared, self-driving vehicles could remove
up to 90 percent of vehicles on city streets and 80
percent of off-street parking.
• Shared-use and autonomous technology holds
promise for more efficient delivery and freight
movement for letters, packages and goods of all
sizes.
• Shared-use mobility and ridesharing can improve
service and lower costs of providing paratransit
services.

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PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Planning
SEAMLESS MOBILITY SYSTEMS

PLANNING FOR CHANGE

Why? Technology promises more convenient
payment, access and travel. “One card” payment
allows users to pay for all modes with one card.
Seamless payment also helps knit together separate
modes to create convenient trip planning, transfers
and wayfinding. Statements can elevate the
importance and priority of investing in seamless
payment and mobility systems.

Why? Technology is already changing mobility in
our communities. Emerging technology, especially
autonomous vehicles, is expected to radically change
systems, vehicles, employment, and investment
decisions. Like any change, there will be benefits and
downsides. Planning that gets ahead of disruption will
help communities vision, plan and set strong policy.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• New technology will improve the transportation
experience with seamless payment and transfer
among modes.
• Technology can make transfers among modes
and routes less cumbersome and time consuming,
expanding transit’s convenience.
• “One card” systems allow convenient payment for
all modes such as bicycle and car share, parking,
shared rides, and all modes of transit.
• Seamless payment systems must incorporate
payment for the un- and underbanked community
without access to credit and debit cards.
• Programs must be developed to overcome
traditional barriers to seamless systems,
particularly low income communities and
vulnerable populations.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Technology is rapidly changing transportation,
freight movement and mobility options.
• Technology advances pose both risks and benefits
to conventional transportation systems including
congestion, infrastructure investments and jobs.
• Changes in mobility will disrupt local mobilityrelated sectors and jobs including taxis and livery
services, public transit, delivery services, and
trucking.
• Federal, state, regional and local governments,
as well as their partners can choose policies, pilot
programs, civic engagement and other activities
to harness benefits while limiting risks.
• Communities will need new models of flexible
street design and land use regulations as demand
changes.
• Shared-use and autonomous technology have the
potential to attract riders from public transit and
active modes.
• Small autonomous delivery pods pose new
demand on already crowded sidewalks.

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT

INTERCONNECTED MUNICIPAL PROGRAMS

Why? Transportation and land use are inexorably
linked. Changes in technology are already forcing
changes to land use and infrastructure demand.
Competition for on-street parking, sidewalk and curb
space will grow, forcing local managers to allocate,
regulate and price rights of way in different ways.

Why? Planning in Departmental silos rarely yields
great community design. As technology forces
changes in transportation, land use, economic
development and other sectors, set a course
for enterprise-wide implementation up-front.
Communities can customize by referring to current
work and/or affected Departments and stakeholders.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Autonomous vehicle communications systems are
still in early stages of development.
• Vehicle-to infrastructure communications
place a higher burden on local governments
than vehicle-to vehicle systems in the form of
infrastructure planning and maintenance.
• Shared-use mobility and increases in urban living
are increasing the competition for space on
streets, sidewalks, curbsides and plazas.
• Cities are introducing new policies related to
parking including pricing, parking location and the
amount of parking required for new projects.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Transportation programs span all levels of
governance at the local, regional, state and federal
levels of service.
• Every aspect of the municipal enterprise supports,
and is supported by, mobility and transportation
investment.
• Fast-moving technology advances require new
tools for forecasting, goal setting and budgeting
as conventional models and assumptions become
obsolete.

• Automated vehicles are predicted to change
demands for parking. Local policies and plans will
need to track changes and respond continuously
to meet changing market conditions.
• Communities will need to fairly and effectively
reallocate sidewalk and curb space for mobility,
utilities, amenities, deliveries, business uses, and
emergency response.
• Access for emergency responders and safe,
convenient travel for pedestrians are the top
priorities for sidewalk design and use.
• As technology promises to reduce the number of
vehicles, new street design options can reallocate
space for public use, minimize vehicle-pedestrian
conflicts and efficiently move people and goods.
• New mobility creates new opportunity for mobility
hubs that convene multiple transportation options
in one place.

15

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Governing
GOVERNING & ETHICS

DIGITAL RESILIENCE

Why? Technology is not foolproof and poses new
areas of risk and trade-offs. With autonomous driving,
vehicles are programed ahead of time using code to
anticipate events; currently humans use judgement
to react in real time. In many cases this will save lives,
but poses questions about which lives are protected
when harm is unavoidable.

Why? Communities can design programs to prevent
and quickly recover from digital attacks. Attacks can
be on the system itself or intrusion into the privacy
of users.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• New technology will require an experimental
approach that includes testing, metrics,
monitoring, iteration and continuous improvement.
• A variety of issues will need to be addressed
including, but not limited to, insurance
requirements, Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) accessibility, driver qualifications,
permitting and vehicle inspections.
• Emerging technology requires reassignment of
liability and responsibility.
• Public safety, in particular to travelers outside of
vehicles, remains the top priority when testing and
deploying autonomous vehicles.

16

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• User security is the top priority for transportation
technology.
• System security shall be designed to prevent
attacks to the extent possible, create agile backup
systems, and recover quickly when outages and
attacks occur.
• Data on the traveling public shall balance privacy
and security with open, transparent and usable
formats for data sharing and open source use.
• Active transportation modes are a low cost
approach to “hackproof” mobility.

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

FINANCIAL

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Why? Municipal funding and revenue models based
on car ownership will shrink further with increased
shared-use mobility and autonomous transit. States,
regions and cities will need to determine new models
of revenue replacement to build, upgrade, maintain
and operate the public infrastructure on which these
new public and private modes depend.

Why? Highly technical topics should not be left to
engineers, but opened to the entire community of
mobility users and stakeholders. New mobility and
technology will expand options to users with limited
choices such as the elderly, handicapped and teens.
Maturing mobility systems are now expanding to
suburban and rural areas bringing car/bike share and
ridesharing benefits to wider audiences. Communities
can customize programs by referring to better links to
local Universities/colleges, campuses and other trip
generators.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• Shifts in mobility affect funding, financing
and revenue models for transit, infrastructure,
transportation and goods movement.
• Proper pricing is key to sustainably funding
infrastructure, fairly compensating operators
and service providers, and creating incentives to
manage a successful transportation system.
• Shared-use and autonomous mobility are reducing
car ownership, which in turn changes demand for
street capacity and parking.
• Transportation Network Companies and other
private transportation service providers will
increasingly be the primary point of revenue
collection for mobility services.

Sample clauses beginning with whereas:
• The public, businesses and visitors are critical
users of the transportation system in the best
position to provide comments on infrastructure,
technology and service.
• The fast pace and unknown nature of emerging
transportation technology requires scenariobased planning.
• New mobility systems offer expanded options for
community members limited by age, handicap,
geography and access to transportation.

• Assumptions, design and financing for
contemporary automobile-related infrastructure,
such as parking structures and road expansions,
are no longer secure long term public investments.
• As technology creates new demands on streets,
sidewalks, curbsides and other public rights
of way, cities can recognize new avenues for
assessing value and related revenue streams.
• Private service providers that rely on wellmaintained public infrastructure will need to
play a larger role in funding, operations and
maintenance.

17

PREPARING FOR NEW MOBILITY WRITING EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Actions
The second section of a resolution includes directives
for action, though cities and towns can also use
resolutions to state an opinion or require further
monitoring or research. In general a mayor, council or
commission will direct the city, county or township
management to initiate action and specific activities
with a heading, “BE IT RESOLVED”

•

Policy – the resolution can initiate policy
development for emerging technology. This
can include shared-use mobility, planning for
autonomous vehicles, and/or working with
companies to test new technology for existing
transit systems (e.g., smart phone apps, real time
information, seamless payment systems)

Examples for action include:

•

Specific studies, plan updates and public
engagement processes – A resolution can initiate
research, policy development, new programs or a
public engagement process.

•

Smart Mobility Plan - Initiate an overarching
Smart Mobility plan to coordinate all facets
of mobility, technology and finance/revenue
now scattered across multiple Departments
and regional agencies. This can help leverage
resources and potential funding sources needed
to adapt legacy programs and infrastructure.

•

Pilot programs – the resolution can initiate
analysis and recommendations on pilot project(s)
in the city or region.

•

Deadlines – Resolutions that direct specific
reports or action should include deadlines.

•

Delineation of priorities – the resolution can
communicate priorities in advance of taking more
formal policy or program steps.

•

Initiate forums - The resolution can call for a series
of forums or strategy development workshops to
assess the community’s interest, readiness, and
acceptance of driverless technologies.

•

Establishing a Work Group or Task Force – the
resolution can call for a task force to study the
status, opportunities and risks of emerging
technology, as well as potential partnerships and
pilots programs. The task force can be internal or
with external partners.